Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-06-09

the beach. In cases where the clearing
will not admit of their walking abreast
with their burden, they will side along,
carefully avoiding all trees and stumps,
until they place the log on its bed as
squarely as could the most skillful en-
gineer; then returning at leisure gait,
they pick up another log, and trans port
that In the same Inethodicai manner, un-
til the landraft has assumed tbs required
proportions.
When the ground ter has been COM
pleted and they commence to build up,
the ingenuity of the animal is most won
derfuly displayed in lifting aad deposit
ing the heavy timbers in their place. One
will lay his end down and passing over
to his companion, they will together
carry that end as far across The founda-
ton as they can reach and drop it. Then
both will return to the first enc, handling
that in like manner, until by successfully
treating each end they work the log into
place. The several squads pass and re-
pass one another without jostling or in
any way interfering with the work. and
all this is done without word from the
drivers, who spend most of their time
peacefully sleeping beneath the grateful
shade OF some neighboring palm. When
the pile is completed the overseers LASH
it together with heavy chains and piece
rough harness consisting of breastband
traces, upon the larger animals of the
drove, and attach them to the structure,
preparatory to dragging it to the shore.
This part of the business the elephant
seems strongly to resent, for the moment
the harnesses are produced the bulls set
up dreadful trunpeting, flourish their
trunks 1t the air, and assume a most
ferocious mien, but a few prods from
the goad soon reduce them to subsection,
and they start for the beach without fur
Their delay. The smaller animals pick up
tie rollers that are left behind, carry
them ahead and lay them in place, the
work being conducted on the same prin-
ciple upon which buildings are moved in
our country. On reaching the waters
edge the elephant displays signs of the
greatest pleasure, being invariably allow
ed an opportunity to lake bath, which
is heartily enjoyed by them.
This completes one days work. The
next morning sees them placing the tim
Der in the water and building floating
raft, which later is towed off by the
ships crew awaiting the cargo. On the
voyage in question the writer On going
ashore one morning CHANGED to have sew
eral ship biscuit in his pocket, and no.
ticing one old elephant more sedate and
wise looking than his companions, prof
fered him cracker, which was eagerly
accepted by the huge beast. After the
supply was exhausted he wound his
trunk round into all the pockets of 4he
coat and not finding any more he set up
most dismal trumpeting and turned
again to his work. Amused by his &C
tions, when this same squad returned,
which would be every other morning,
this old patriarch was met by the writer
with lunch of biscuit, which was con-
tinued until the sly fellow came to look
for it as regular thing, and as soon as
the boat left the ships side would leave
his partner in the lurch, despite the eff
forts of the driver to prevent him, make
a break for the water, meeting US some
distance from shore. But, alas for the
evils of confirmed habit. One morn
ing the biscuit was forgotten, and the
reception which awaited US would cause
one more courageous than Yankee skip
per and his crew to quake with fear. The
old chap went fairly wild. Though care
fully avoiding doing us any harm he bel
lowed loudly, stamped his feet with ang
er, and tore around in a most frantic
manner, throwing sticks, STONES and
whatever came in his way, high into the
air. For a long time he refused to go to
work, and when finally driven to his task,
went in the most sullen manner, his fit
of sulks lasting through the entire day.
In Ceylon the elephant is not only used
as a beast of burden, but as a domestic
servant, and not infreq uently acts the
part of nurse. The fond mother will
consign her tiny babe to the care of this
gigantic beast without fear, while per-
forming her household duties, and her
most gentle caresses and careful atten
tions are scarcely surpassed by those be-
slowed upon her child by this novel at
tendant. If the infant cries it is care
fully lifted by the huge trunk and gently
swayed back and forth until it drops in
to a quiet sleep. Then it is laid upon
the ground, and the elephant fans it
with his huge trunk, keeping away the
flies and other insects which gather in
swarms, all the while blowing cool
breath upon the little sleeper; and woe
be unto the unfortunate beast of the
Jungle which seeks to do harm to his
charge for his days would be full of
trouble. These are but few of the num-
erous AGO uirements of the elephant, but
with these, how can the natives of India,
even if rude and ignorant, refrain from
holding in reverence the mammoth
beast Of their country.